Wachtel Set for Action-Filled Saturday

by Ben Massam 

With three sophomore prospects slated to run in three different Grade I events at three different racetracks Saturday, owner Adam Wachtel has a busy weekend of race-watching ahead. 

The owner’s schedule became even more complex as of Tuesday morning, when Wachtel and partners resolved to redirect 3-year-old prospect Tiz Shea D (Tiznow) from an anticipated appearance in Keeneland’s GI Toyota Blue Grass S. to a bid at Aqueduct’s GI Wood Memorial. The shift in plans was the latest in a quick series of decisions made by the ownership group concerning their promising colt.

The GIII Gotham S. runner-up was scheduled to depart for Kentucky by van from Belmont Park Tuesday afternoon, but the news of likely Wood favorite Far From Over (Blame)’s withdrawl from the race with an injury facilitated the decision to remain in New York.

“With Far From Over getting hurt, we are staying for the Wood,” Wachtel said from Montana, where he is spending the week. “It’s still very tough, but we don’t have to get on a van, and losing the favorite out of the Wood makes it at least a bit more appealing.”

Tiz Shea D was privately purchased by Wachtel, Nils Brous and Gary Barber from Daniel Shea following a flashy four-length debut score in a Feb. 7 maiden contest at Parx Racing. Wachtel uses a number of different criteria to evaluate horses that grab his attention, but noted that his initial attraction to the colt was a result of the eye-catching performance he delivered that day.

“You couldn’t be sure of who he was running against at the time, but he looked so impressive,” recalled Wachtel. “He had a great closing move and a real long stride. When it was first brought to my attention, the first thing I looked at was the replay–and there was nothing not to like about that.” 

Notwithstanding his inclination to believe Tiz Shea D possessed significant upside, Wachtel acknowledged that he wanted to learn more about the athletically built colt before making an offer.

“I looked at the pedigree, and I loved it,” he explained. “The dam [Ender’s Sister (A.P. Indy)] was a really talented filly who could run long. She finished second in the [GII] Delaware H. On sheets, she was tremendously fast, and she had a full-brother who was very talented too. So I loved the family.”

Noting that he always uses Ragozin Sheets numbers to guide decisions on prospective purchases, Wachtel said that the quantifiable data from the race ultimately confirmed what he saw on the racetrack and in the horse’s pedigree.

Transferred from the care of trainer Jason Servis to Hall of Famer Bill Mott after the deal was finalized, Wachtel said it quickly became apparent to all involved that Tiz Shea D was a healthy animal with an excellent disposition.

“He was so impressive in person as well–just incredibly well-behaved,” the owner reflected. “He just had that air of class about him, and he was so athletic when he trained on the track. He had everything you want to see in a horse.”

Wachtel credited Servis for keeping Tiz Shea D in impeccable condition prior to the sale. The dark bay was doing so well, he said, that a last-minute decision was made to enter him in the Gotham over 1 1/16 miles at Aqueduct Mar. 7. In his first try around two turns, the 3-year-old raced close to a swift pace over the muddy going and came through a narrow opening along the inside to finish second, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, by favored El Kabeir (Scat Daddy). 

“For him to show great courage coming up the rail the way he did, I was so impressed with him, as were my partners and Bill,” continued Wachtel. “We figured off that performance, it was worthwhile to go ahead and nominate him to the Triple Crown races and see what we have.”

Wachtel acknowledged that Tiz Shea D’s rapid transformation from Parx maiden winner to graded stakes competitor and supplemental Triple Crown nominee has been rather unorthodox, yet all indicators point to continued improvement from the colt. The owner pointed out that the Mott trainee breezed four furlongs in :50.25 over the Belmont Park training track Monday morning–the final workout prior to his weekend engagement. 

Although Tiz Shea D will not be making the trip to Keeneland on Saturday, the 3-year-old filly Lassofthemohicans (Indian Charlie) will represent Wachtel in the GI Central Bank Ashland S. Runner-up in her seasonal debut in Gulfstream Park’s seven-furlong GII Forward Gal S. Jan. 24, she was most recently fifth in the GII Davona Dale S. over one mile there Feb. 21.

“We think she’s a super talented filly,” commented Wachtel. “As well as she performed in the one-turn races at Gulfstream, I don’t think they really suited her. We’re excited to go two turns with her again, and trainer Brendan Walsh said she’s really thriving and training well right now.”

Completing a triad of sophomore stakes action, Wachtel noted that he also owns a share of Bolo (Temple City), who will go postward in the GI Santa Anita Derby. The dark bay, a dominant winner of two starts on the turf to close out his juvenile campaign, recently checked in third behind Dortmund (Big Brown) and Prospect Park (Tapit) in Santa Anita’s GII San Felipe S.–his first try on dirt. Bolo is expected to meet those two rivals again this weekend.

“I think he’s a freak of a horse,” said Wachtel of his west-coast investment. “It’s a very big day, and you try not to get your hopes up too much, but I feel like we’re coming into these races with talented horses who are doing well.”